On returning home after a long and hard day at the office, one of the first things on a person’s mind is to find some rest. Very often this will not be the case because as soon as you pass through the door of the house, there are a new set of demands.
This comes by way of the children or the spouse in the house announcing their need for attention or something in the house that needs attention. Sometimes it is even about the needs of a neighbor or a relative or an acquaintance. When this happens there seems to be no ‘down time’.
At times this leads to frustration because sometimes after a long and hard day at the work you bring home the anger that had been simmering in the office or you bring home the frustration of being ticked off by your boss or colleague.
Sometimes you return with the resignation that it was a day wasted at the office. Yet there it is the demand placed upon you for something else to address, something else to take care of.
The gospel of today shows us the response of Jesus. He is filled with compassion for the needs of the people. Despite being tired he looks at them who are searching for solace. Jesus does not turn away the crowd or delegates someone else to look into the needs. He looks into the matter himself. He is there for them. The invitation is to follow his example.
In the first reading of today, we are reminded about consequences of being bad shepherds. Each one of us is a shepherd in our field. We are called to look after those who are in need and not to consider our own comfort first.
Questions for Reflection
Who comes first in your life?
What is the evidence of this priority you give to this person?
To love is to sacrifice. What is the sacrifice that you are willing to make for those that you love?